JUDGMENT :-

Leave granted.

2. The appellants stood convicted under section 324, IPC and were sentenced to imprisonment for 6 months. On appeal, the High Court maintained the conviction but reduced the sentence to period already undergone and directed to pay fine of Rs. 500/-, in default to further undergo imprisonment R.I. for 3 months. During the period prescribed for payment of fine, the accused could not deposit the amount in question. Accused filed an application for extension of time by invoking jurisdiction under section 482, Cr. P. C. That application having been rejected, they further filed application. That application again stood dismissed. They filed 3rd application and when that application stood dismissed they have approached this Court. There cannot be any dispute that the accused were not entitled to file so many applications before the High Court invoking jurisdiction under Section 482. But having regard to the facts and circumstances of the present case, and in view of the statement that the accused were ill-advised to file number of applications before the High Court, and having heard the learned counsel appearing for the State in the interest of justice, we allow this appeal and grant a months time from today to make the deposit of fine, as directed by the High Court, failing which the default clause would operate.

Appeal allowed.

FOR CITATION : AIR 2002 SC 387